A-League: Bring on Becks, just not in Red

So David Beckham is looking for a new challenge, and Australia has been thrown around as a possible destination for the superstar of football and fashion.

There is no doubt having him plying his trade on our shores would attract unprecedented coverage of the A-League across the globe and provide a marketing bonanza for tickets and merchandise.

On the pitch though, would he be worth it?

I say no.

Beckham is a global brand and there's no doubt having him playing in the A-League would work wonders for Australia's football identity.

He's as much a fashion icon as he is a footballer - anyone who has boots specifically made for him is clearly a star.

You just have to look back to the hysteria created at hairdressers across the globe after the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and Korea when Becks turned up with a Mohawk.

The A-League has captured a new audience in Italy this season, capitalising on the signing of Juventus and Azzuri legend Alessandro Del Piero by Sydney FC.

And while the interest created by his signing has been huge, having the Beckham brand linked with Australia would see unprecedented attention and an even bigger awareness of the sport both nationwide and abroad.

In fact, many have speculated that clubs like Adelaide United, that would have little hope of securing Beckham's services, may be bluffing in declaring their interest in signing him, simply for some positive marketing for their brand.

There is no doubt having a star of his ilk in the nation would result in skyrocketing ticket and merchandise sales as thousands flock to catch a glimpse of Becks before he hangs up the boots.

People who have never watched a football match know Beckham and would be attracted to go take in a game simply by having his name on the team sheet.

It may be the only way the A-League would build on the impressive inroads it has made this year on the crowded Australian sporting landscape, following the strength of this year's marquee recruits, Del Piero, Newcastle's former England international Emile Heskey, and Japanese great Shinji Ono.

So while it is safe to say the league and any club would benefit hugely from the signing of Posh's beau, would his signing bring results on the pitch?

At 37, David Beckham has lost little of the skill and range of passing that has featured so prominently in his highlight reels.

He'd certainly pose a threat from dead balls outside the penalty area and any striker would love to be running onto a Beckham cross swinging in from the right.

But, with any ageing athlete there is always a risk that his body will break down. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star became accustomed to lengthy European seasons, sometimes lasting up to 50 matches.

The shorter season in Australia would suit his needs and provide him ample time to rest his legs between matches.

The Del Piero signing has been a masterstroke by Sydney FC but while his technical ability has been so clearly evident to anyone who catches the A-League highlights each week, his goals and the clear difference in skills he displays haven't yet translated into results for the sky blues.

Marquee signings can and should be a class above those around them but if a team becomes too reliant on playing a system that fits one player, rather than what suits the majority and will get results, the club's position on the table will be the first thing to suffer.

Beckham is unlikely to have the immediate impact that Del Piero has had on the park.

He'd need to be in a team that could use him.

A number of teams have already ruled themselves out, including Melbourne Victory.

The Victory's coach, Ange Postecoglou summed it up perfectly when he said it'd be great to have Beckham in Australia - but not at his team.

We've seen some fantastic big-name marquee players arrive on our shores and set the league alight.

Robbie Fowler, Dwight Yorke, Juninho and Benito Carbone did their bit for the league - Mario Jardel, Romario may not have worked out so well, and the impressive and memorable careers they built for themselves may have been ever so slightly tarnished.

The imports that have lasted in the A-League like Carlos Hernandez, Fred, Marcos Flores, Thomas Broich and Patrick Zwaanswijk had been, with all due respect, complete unknowns to most who follow the local game until their arrival.

They bring something different to a side but fit in as well, they do the team thing but star at the same time, and their sides have been successful as a result.

Beckham would bring short-term gains to Australia in the financial and glamour stakes, but on the park may not necessarily get the desired results.

I've paid to see Becks strut his stuff at Wembley in 2009 in a World Cup qualifier when he'd been out of the England side for some time and was making a return.

Even from my nosebleed seat I could see how good he was, and I'd certainly pay to see him again.

I would love to see Becks in the A-League, just not in an Adelaide United side that finally has some stability and a team that could secure titles.

Added to that, it is unlikely Adelaide would be an attractive destination for a man who has lived in some of the biggest cities around the world... plus, I don't think red is really his colour.